Monday, December 7, 2009

Newton's First Law!!!!!

Part A

Q1- This is what i have learned about Newton's First Law. I have learned that all objects stay at rest when already at rest, and objects in motion stay in motion unless acted upon by a force. From this, i learned about all of the different forces and all the different ways they can act upon an object. I learned about translational equilibrium, how to draw FBDs, find the sum of the forces, and Inertia. Inertia is the resistance an object has to a change in its state of motion. I have learned many things in the section, and I hope to learn more!

Q2- What i have found difficult about what i have studied is being able to look at a problem and knowing exactly what i need to do in order to find the problem. Sometimes i find my self looking at a problem and getting too overwhelmed and giving up on the problem. I need to be able to look at a problem and take it step by step. In doing this, I will be able to solve the problems in a better, more efficient manner. I have also had a lot of trouble with finding the angle when it is not given. Sometimes i forget that we can use other methods we have learned in other classes to help us with our physics.

Q3- My problem solving skills are generally pretty good. As I said in the last question, i sometimes get stuck, overwhelmed, and go to fast. The problems we are doing require a lot of patience. Once I get over that problem, I usually am able to take the problem step by step and solve the problem correctly. I think I am strong in trigonometry, and solving for the sum of the forces. My weakness is drawing FBDs. Sometimes i get confused when there is a lot of forces, and when the object is on a slanted ground.

Part B

Q1- There are many situations in our everyday life in which things we have studied are happening. For example, car crashes. This is a great example of Newton's First Law. This states that an object in motion usually stays in motion, and object at rest usually stay at rest, unless a force is acted upon them. Why do you thing wearing your seatbelt is a law? When you are in a car crash, usually you are in motion. When two cars collide, the cars stop due to force, but your body keeps its motion, which is why if you don't where your seat belt, you will fly through your windshield! If wearing your seat belt, the seat belt would be the force that stops you from continuing your motion.